Bed locking device

ABSTRACT

An improved adjustable hospital bed providing Trendelenburg or Fowler selection includes a bed stabilizing device for roller or caster equipped beds having extensible telescoping leg members which may be extended sufficiently to raise the usual casters from the floor resulting in a solid four-point contact instead of the usual caster-roller contact. The extension is provided by the same means used for raising or lowering the bed.

United States Patent Duprey [4 1 July 18, 1972 [541 BED LOCKING DEVICE3,478,372 5/l963 Benoit et al ..5/63

[ Inventor: Richard l y Dayville. Conn- FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS1 lntemyll Corporation, New York. 87,686 10/1957 Netherlands ..$/63 [22]Filed: May 1970 Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg [2 1] Appl. No.:38,783 Attorney-March, LeFever & Wyatt 57 ABSTRACT [52] [1.8. CI ..5/63,5/66 1 [5 l Int. Cl. A613 7/00, A47c l9/00 An improved auljwtlflbl'3hospital bed Providing Trefldelenburg 5 Field f S 230 431 43 5 43 171505; or Fowler selection includes a bed stabilizing device for roller5/62, 63' 2/249, 250 or caster equipped beds having extensibletelescoping leg members which may be extended sufficiently to raise theusual 56] Rehnnm Cited casters from the floor resulting in a solidfour-point contact instead of the usual caster-roller contact. Theextension is pro- ED STATES PATENTS vided by the same means used forraising or lowering the bed 2,841,410 7/1958 Kessler, Jr. et a]..3l2/250 X 3 China, 6Drawlng figures Patented July 18, 1972 3,676,881

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR RICHARD H. DUPREY MARCH, LEFEVER & WYATTATTORNEYS Patented July 18, 1972 3,676,881

3 Sheets-Sheet- 2 3Q 72 3Q [/49 [/41 4/0 [W12 FIG.2 T M I LI l '50 I;F|G.3 [H I 35 (p1 I I 44 43 45 V I I aw l FIG.4 l 12 INVENTOR RICHARD HDUPREY BY MARCH, LEFEVER & WYATT ATTORNEYS Patented July 18, 1972 3Sheets-Shes t :1

ATTORNEYS BED LOCKING DEVICE The present invention relates to beds andin particular to an adjustable bed in which the mattress support membermay be adjusted from a normal horizontal position to the Trendelenburgposition in which the body is in a straight line inclined between andfrom the horizontal with the head lower most and with the feet and kneesin elevated position with respect to the head. The bed according to thepresent invention is also adjustable to the Fowler position in which thebody lies in a straight line at an incline with respect to thehorizontal with the head in elevated position with respect to the feet.

One of the objects according to the present invention is to provide anew and improved adjustable bed which is of simple construction andwhich is reliable in operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedadjustable bed which may be moved from the horizontal position to eitherTrendelenburg or Fowler selections.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustablebed which includes a new and improved motor and and connecting linkagesfor adjusting the bed between a horizontal position and either aTrendelenburg or Fowler selection.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustablebed with a new and improved position selector by the bed which theoperator may move to various positions of adjustment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedstabilizing mechanism whereby any tendency to move or roll is reduced oreliminated while the bed is being occupied or vacated, and thuseliminate resulting accidents.

One such adjustable hospital bed is described and claimed in U. S. Pat.No. 3,478,372, issued Nov. l8, I969.

An adjustable bed constructed in accordance with the present inventionincludes supporting frames and a mattress support member. The bedfurther includes means for moving the mattress support member invertical adjustment. Preferably, the mattress support member is adjustedby means of a drive which cooperates with a pair of adjustingmechanisms, one located at each end of the bed. By means of the driveand the adjusting mechanisms the mattress support member may be movedvertically with respect to the support frame of the bed. The driveselectively actuates one or both adjusting mechanisms by means of aposition selector which is interposed between the drive and theadjusting mechanisms. In this manner, the head or the foot end of thebed may be moved vertically according to whether Trendelenburg or Fowlerselection is desired. Preferably, both the position selector and thedrive are operated from the foot end of the bed from convenience inadjusting the bed.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with otherand further objects thereof, reference is had to the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and itsscope will be pointed out in the appended claims Referring to thedrawings:

FIG. I is a perspective view partially cut away of an adjustable bedaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side-elevation view of the preferred positionselector which is interconnected between the drive and the adjustingmechanism whereby the bed may be selectively adjusted according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a side-elevation of the position selector illustrated in FIG.2 after being moved to the inoperative position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the position selector ofFIGS. 2 and 3 which is shown in an intermediate position of operation;

FIG. 5 is a side-elevation partially broken away to illustrate the bedofthe present invention in an adjusted position; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the four foot membersof the bed of the invention showing the extendible foot-portion whichcomprises the stabilizer of the invention.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. I, the bed Iaccording to the present invention includes a mattress support member 2mounted on upright head and foot frames 3 and 4. In order to achieve thebed adjustments (Trendelenburg or Fowler), the mattress support memberis pivotally mounted with respect to the head and foot frame members.

The mattress support member is of suitable construction and preferablymay be of angle iron construction so to support the usual mattress andspring combination (not shown). As shown in FIG. I, the mattress supportmember 2 is partially broken away to illustrate other portions of thebed. It is to be understood that the mattress support member isgenerally rectangular and it extends around the upper periphery of thebed. Two pairs of support plates 6 located near the head and foot of themattress support member 2 provide means for pivotally mounting themattress support member with respect to the head and foot frames 3 and4.

The head and foot frames are of similar construction and each frameincludes a pair of vertically adjustable upright posts 8 with each posthaving a bottom post member 9 which receives, in telescoping fashion, atop post member I0. By means of these posts the mattress support member2 may be adjusted to various positions. The posts are held in adjustedposition by means of a lift arm [2 in a manner more fully describedbelow. The upright posts 8 are interconnected near their bottom ends bya suitable cross-bar I3 and at their upper ends by a pivot shaft 14.Each pivot shaft I4 extends between and is joumaled into the upper endsof each pair of posts by suitable bearings I6 so that the pivot shaftmay rotate on its longitudinal axis. In addition, each pivot shaftreceives the support plates 6 for pivotal connection of the mattresssupport member 2 with respect to the head and foot frames 3 and 4.

From the foregoing description it is to be understood that the mattresssupport member 2 is adjustable between various vertical positionsincluding Trendelenburg and Fowler selections. Accordingly, each of thehead and foot frames 3 and 4 is individually adjustable between upperand lower vertical positions and the mattress support member ispivotally mounted with respect to the head and foot frames.

As best shown is FIG. I, the head and foot frames 3 and 4 move betweenvertically adjusted positions by means of lift arms 12 rigidly securedto a pivot shaft 14. A lifting force applied to a lift arm produces alifting of the upper portion 10 of the frame posts 8 with respect to thelower posts 9.

A pair of knee action linkages I7 follow and stabilize the liftingmovement of the head and foot frames 3 and 4. The knee action linkagesprevent tilting of the mattress support member during lifting. Each kneeaction linkage 17 includes a lower arm I8 and an upper ann 19. Eachupper arm I9 is rigidly connected at one end to a pivot shaft 14 andpivotally connected at its other end 20 to a lower arm l8. Each lowerarm is pivotally connected at 21 to its corresponding post 9.

From the foregoing will be observed that by selectively moving the heador foot lift arms 12, the mattress support member may be brought toTrendelenburg or Fowler selection.

According to the present invention, a motor 25 and a position selectormechanism 26 are provided for achieving the foregoing selections. Asbest shown in FIG. I, the motor 25 typically includes a hand crank 27and an operating screw 28 located at the foot end of the bed. Theoperating screw 28 is joumaled into the mattress support member 2 bymeans of a suitable swivel bearing 29. It will be observed that theoperating screw 28 serves to move the head and foot lift arms l2 bymeans of a block member 30 and a longitudinal drive bar 31. Theoperating screw threads into the block member 30 which in turn ispivotally secured to the drive bar 31 by a suitable pin 34 and bracket33. The longitudinal drive bar 31 is mounted at the lower end of thehead and foot lift arms 12 by means of a suitable bolt 34 which fitsinto a slot 35 at the corresponding head and foot ends 36 and 37 of thelongitudinal drive bar.

From the foregoing it will be understood that as the operating screwmoves the longitudinal bar toward the foot of the bed and slightlyupward in the direction of the screw, both the lift arms 12 are raisedso to lift the head and foot frame mem bers 3 and 4.

A position selector gate 40 is interposed between the longitudinal drivebar 31 and each lift arm 12. When the position selector gates 40 are inthe position shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, movement of the longitudinalbar toward the foot of the bed is transmitted to the head and foot liftarms I2 thereby to achieve the desired raising of the head and footvertical frame members 8 and the mattress support member 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each position selector gate 40 includes agate member 41 which is pivotally connected by a pin 42 to the drive bar31. A cable 43 with a suitable connector 44 and sheath 45 is used topivot each gate member 4! from the engaged position (FIG. 2) to thedisengaged position (FIG. 3). Conveniently, each cable 43 is availableto the operator at a panel 46 and control knobs 47 (FIG. I) installed atthe foot of the bed. The front edge (FIG. 3) of each gate member 41 hasa notch 47 for firm engagement with the lift arm bolt 34. The bottomedge of each gate member may be recessed at 48 to accommodate themovement of the bolt 34 within the slot 35 (see FIG. A pin 49 and groove50 (FIG. 3) limit the upward movement of the gate member 41. If desireda spring (not shown) may be used to urge each gate member into thedownward position.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 either position selector gate 40 may be movedto an upward position so that lift arm bolt 34 is free to slide respectto the slot 35. When such relative sliding movement occurs then thelongitudinal drive bar 31 does not raise the corresponding lift arm 12.Consequently, movement of the operating screw 28 is effective to raiseonly one end of the bed as shown in FIG. 5. Moreover, when one positionselector gate is not engaged (as shown in FIG. 5) the corresponding endof the bed remains in the lowered position. The operation of the bedaccording to the present invention will be apparent in the foregoingdescription but for con venience will be summarized below.

As shown in FIG. I the mattress support member 2 is elevated and is in alevel position. In order to select a bed position as in FIG. 5 in whichthe head end of the bed is raised and in which the foot end of the bedis lowered, one would proceed as follows.

The operating screw 28 is manipulated to move the longitudinal drive bar31 to the rearward most position toward the head end. This action movesthe lift arms [2 downwardly and the mattress support member is lowered,i.e., the upper post telescopes entirely into the lower post 9 as shownat the foot end of FIG. 5. In addition, the lift arm bolts 34 disengagefrom each position selector gate 40 so that one of the gate members maybe easily pivoted to an upper position (FIG. 3). In the bed selection tobe described the foot gate member 41 is so pivoted to an upper positionas illustrated in FIGv 3. Next the hand crank 27 and operating screw 28(FIG. 5) are turned so to move the longitudinal drive bar 31 toward thefoot end of the bed.

As the longitudinal drive bar 3I moves toward the foot of the bed thefoot lift arm bolt 34 slides in the foot end slot 35. In other words thefoot end lift arm 12 is not raised by the longitudinal drive bar 31, andconsequently the foot of the bed remains lowered. As best shown in FIG.5 it will seem that the lift arm bolt 34 is located in the rearwardposition with respect to the elongated slot 35. At the same time it willbe observed that the foot gate member 41 is pivoted to the inactive ordisengaged position.

At the head end of the bed on the other hand, it will be seen in FIG. 5that the gate member 41 is engaged against the lift arm bolt 34. As aresult of such engagement the movement of the longitudinal drive bar 31has produced a lifting movement in the head lift arm I2. Such liftingmovement of the lift arm occurs because the drive bar moves in thegeneral direction of the operating screw 28, i.e., in a forwardly and inan upwardly direction. The pivot bar 31 and the upper head frame posts10 are lifted vertically as shown in FIG. 5. To lower the head end ofthe bed, it is necessary only to reverse the rotation of the hand crankand the drive bar 3] will lower lift arm 12 until post 10 telescopesentirely within post 8. After such lowering a new selection for bedposition may be made.

Referring now to FIG. 6 there is shown in detail the stabilizing elementto which the instant inventive concept is specifically directed.

When operating crank 27 is rotated to a position such that mattresssupport member 2 is level, casters, or universal rol lers 60, are stillin contact with the floor or surface, thus af fording a desired mobilityto the bed and its occupant, if any. However, it is often desirable tostabilize the bed against movement in situations when an occupant isleaving the bed or when a patient is getting in. With the instantembodiment this is accomplished by continuing to revolve crank 27 in thelowering direction a few turns such that operating screw 28 and blockmember 30 forces drive bar 3I further to the rear. Lift arms 12 thencause further rotation to pivot shaft 14 which imparts a furtherlowering action to upper posts [0 of frame posts 8 with respect to lowerposts 9.

When the lowering action has proceeded to a point where the lowerextremity of upper posts 10, fitted with a pad member 62 is touching thefloor or bearing surface 64, the further rotation of pivot shaft 14causes a lifting force to he applied to the head and foot frames 3 and 4through knee action linkages l7, namely lower arms 18, upper arms I9 andpivot pins 21. This lifting action is continued by continued rotation ofcrank 27 until casters 60, comprising roller 66, covered shank 68,swivel surfaces 70, caster shaft (not shown} and locking nut 72,rotatably affixing casters 60 to cross bars 13, are elevated the desireddistance, as at 74, from the floor. The bed is now resting on padmembers 62, which may be fabricated ofa non-skidding material, and iscompletely stable against accidental movement.

Turning crank 27 in the opposite direction first lowers head and footframes 3 and 4 until casters 60 are in contact with the floor and thenthe desired head or foot elevation is carried out as described above.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of this invention it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the invention and it is therefore aimedto cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A support structure for a member such as a mattress comprising a topcross shaft, a top post connected to each end of said cross shaft andproviding a rotatable support for said cross shaft and extendingdownwardly therefrom, said top post having a bottom end which is adaptedto rest on the ground in one support position, a hollow tubular bottompost telescopically engaged over each of said top posts and beingmovable upwardly and downwardly therealong, a cross bar rigidlyconnected between said bottom posts at each end, a knee action linkagecomprising first and second links pivotally connected together, one ofsaid links being affixed at its outer end to said cross shaft forrotation therewith and the other being pivotally connected to respectiveones of said bottom posts, drive bar means connected to said cross shaftto rotate said cross shaft and to move said bottom hollow tubular postsupwardly and downwardly along the respective said top posts, said hollowbottom posts at each end and said cross bar forming a support structure,and roller means connected to said support structure adjacent eachbottom post and depending downwardly therefrom, said support structurebeing movable relatively to said top post by an amount sufficient toposition said roller means below the bottom end of said top post tosupport said structure on said roller means.

2. A support structure according to claim 1, including a mattresssupport member connected to the upper end of each of said top posts,each of said top posts, said bottom hollow tubular posts, said cross barand said roller support means comprising a first end support for saidmattress support member, and including a second end support including asecond top post connected to each side of said mattress support memberadjacent the opposite end thereof, a second bottom hollow tubular posttelescopically engaged over each of said second top posts, a secondcross bar connected between said second bottom tubular posts and secondroller means carried on said cross bar and depending downwardlytherefrom and being engageable with the ground for supporting the secondend of said support structure when said second bottom tubular posts aremoved to a predetermined position downwardly.

3. A support structure according to claim 2, wherein said drive barmeans includes a longitudinal drive bar extending between said first endsupport and said second end support, a lift arm connected adjacent eachend of said drive bar member and having an opposite end connected to therespective top cross shaft and said second top cross shaft, meansconnected to said drive bar to shift drive bar to cause rotation of saidtop cross shaft and said second top cross shaft for changing theelevation of said bottom tubular posts relative to said top posts.

1' t i I

1. A support structure for a member such as a mattress comprising a topcross shaft, a top post connected to each end of said cross shaft andproviding a rotatable support for said cross shaft and extendingdownwardly therefrom, said top post having a bottom end which is adaptedto rest on the ground in one support position, a hollow tubular bottompost telescopically engaged over each of said top posts and beingmovable upwardly and downwardly therealong, a cross bar rigidlyconnected between said bottom posts at each end, a knee action linkagecomprising first and second links pivotally connected together, one ofsaid links being affixed at its outer end to said cross shaft forrotation therewith and the other being pivotally connected to respectiveones of said bottom posts, drive bar means connected to said cross shaftto rotate said cross shaft and to move said bottom hollow tubular postsupwardly and downwardly along the respective said top posts, said hollowbottom posts at each end and said cross bar forming a support structure,and roller means connected to said support structure adjacent eachbottom post and depending downwardly therefrom, said support structurebeing movable relatively to said top post by an amount sufficient toposition said roller means below the bottom end of said top post tosupport said structure on said roller means.
 2. A support structureaccording to claim 1, including a mattress support member connected tothe upper end of each of said top posts, each of said top posts, saidbottom hollow tubular posts, said cross bar and said roller supportmeans comprising a first end support for said mattress support member,and including a second end support including a second top post connectedto each side of said mattress support member adjacent the opposite endthereof, a second bottom hollow tubular post telescopically engaged overeach of said second top posts, a second cross bar connected between saidsecond bottom tubular posts and second roller means carried on saidcross bar and depending downwardly therefrom and being engageable withthe ground for supporting the second end of said support structure whensaid second bottom tubular posts are moved to a predetermined positiondownwardly.
 3. A support structure according to claim 2, wherein saiddrive bar means includes a longitudinal drive bar extending between saidfirst end support and said second end support, a lift arm connectedadjacent each end of said drive bar member and having an opposite endconnected to the respective top cross shaft and said second top crossshaft, means connected to said drive bar to shift drive bar to causerotation of said top cross shaft and said second top cross shaft forchanging the elevation of said bottom tubular posts relative to said topposts.